Ebenezer b



(No Model.) I

E. B. SHAFER.

ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF UOMMUNIGATION.

Patented May '7, 1889 Figl v Fig. 4:-

lNvEm'rn 7 414 a tin rryey wnTNr-z ssam call or notification by one instrument and the EBENEZER B. 'SHAFER,

ELECTRIC SYSTEM 0 PATENT OFFICE.

OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

F COMMUNICATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 402,986, dated May '7, 1889.

Application filed January 10, 1889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EBENEZER B. SHAFER, a citizen of the United States, residing atNew York city, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Systems of Communication, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improved system of electrical communication, whereby apparatus substantially like the common electrical callinstruments is rendered available in a very simple manner for a much wider range of communication than heretofore capable of, using either the Morse characters or any desired code, and either on open or closed circuits, all as hereinafter fully described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus as I prefer to arrange it. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the apparatus with the front of the case removed. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of one of the instruments as seen from the section-line 3 3, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow, and on an enlarged scale. Fig.4 is a diagram of the electrical circuit.

My system comprehends the sending of the message by a separate instrument, the signals or characters of which are distinguishable from each other, using either simple numbers or characters or combinations of them, according as the call or notification message demands, the call being sent first by preference, after which the message follows without repetition of the call or notification; but of course the call may be sent after the message, if desired.

Taking the call apparatus of common use, there is a circuit making and breaking disk or wheel, a, having notches or teeth in the periphery, which, being caused to touch and escape from the circuit-connecting or contact spring 1), makes the proper connections for actuating the call bell c or register (1, or both, or other receiving-instrument in the station.

Serial No. 296,022. (No model.)

spring h, and also the stop-arm 2', besides the I crank j and the pointer 70, when desired.

There is a stop-bracket, Z, in a fixed position, against which the stop-arm 1' comes when the crank and pointer return to the stationary position, and are stopped and held thereby in that position ready for another operation, the driving-spring It being still under tension. WVith such an instrument the call or message issent by turning the crank j, stop-arm 'i, and also the pointer k, when used, away from the stop-bracket in the direction of the arrow, and setting the instrument by shifting the pawl f around the ratchet-wheel e one or more teeth, according to the number of signals to be given at one operation, one tooth of the ratchet causing the shift of the circuit-wheel one tooth along the contact-spring, and then releasing the crank, and this is repeated as many times as necessary to give the call or message.

It will be seen that with only one instrument the range of practically-useful signals will be very limited.

My improved system comprises the employment of two of these instruments in combination, in which the wheels 01, are cut for making, respectively, distinguishable characters or signals-as one for dashes and the other for dotsand using one instrument for the call or notification and the. other for the message. For example, in this case I have represented the said wheel of the intermediate instrument as having teeth of broader face for longer contact to produce long dashes and the upper instrument with narrower teeth to make short dashes, and will use either instrument for the call or notification and the other for the message; and the arrangement which. I have represented is for the open circuit. It may, however, be adapted for the closed circuit, if desired, the only diiference being that the wheelsashall have contact with the brush when at rest, the signals then being caused by the breaks of the circuit instead of the contacts.

In operating the apparatus the crank j of the instrument used for the call is first turned in the direction of the arrow on the dial until the click of the ratchet-pawl f indicates the engagement of one or more teeth in the ratchet c, according as one or more signals is or are to be given. The crank is then let go, and under the influence of the impellingspring h the circuit-wheel is moved for 0011- tact with the circuit-closing spring I) until it returns to the starting-point, where it is arrested by the stop-arm 5 coming in contact with the stop-bracket I, which holds the driving-spring under tension ready for another operation. This is repeated until the call or notification is given, according to whatever code is adopted or signified. Then the message is similarly sent through the other instrument, and is understood to be the mes sage by the different character of the signals by which it is given.

As there is no way of distinguishing naughts, numerals, or other characters in the message or call, I will, when desired, employ a third sending-instrument, as indicated in the lower portion of Figs. 1 and 2, whose circuit-wheel a is cut for making a character that is distinguished from both long and short dashes, as dots, which is the way I have arranged it; or it may be a number of dots in close succession, or a dot and a dash together, which will simplify the matter by avoiding the making of ten dots for naught, as it would otherwise have to be given. This will also be useful in case any other signal or character distinguishable from the other ten is used.

All the instruments are connected in one circuit, the bell being operative with either or all the instruments or alone, and there is a circuit-closing button, in, in the station or receiving-place for producing a return signal on the bell n of the sender to indicate the reception of the message, or to otherwise communicate with the sender. For the receiver, the electric or Morse register, sounder, or other electrical instrument or single or double bell receiver or other receiving device may be used.

The SOlltllllgdllSt]lllllGllbS will be arranged or grouped in any approved form, either as shown in the drawings or otherwise, as preferred, and inclosed in a suitable case, 0,11aving a dial, 1), numbered or otherwise figured or arranged for a visual gage in addition to the pawl-clicks, by which to aid in the set ting of the instrument by the crank.

To avoid mistakes in setting the instrument by the visual gage or by the sound of the pawl-clieks, I provide a positive stop-gage that may be brought into use when required by setting it in advance of or while turning the crank at the position where the crank is to be stopped, and so that the crank, being turned until arrested by the stop, will be set with certainty and mistakes willv be prevented.

Any approved form of contrivanee suited to the purpose may be employed; but that which I have represented consists of a series of pin-holes, q, in the dial or other approved position in the front of the case corresponding with the notches of the ratchets c, and a stop-pin, 3,110 be set in them, so that the crank will be stopped by it anywhere the pin may be set along the range or series of holes. The pointer L is attachedto the crank j, as usual in. these instruments.

By using the naughtsignal in combination with either the call or message instrument an almost unlimited range of communication is amply and simply provided for.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. A system of electrical communication comprising the combination of an electrical call or notifying instrument having the contact-points of its brake wheel. specifically adapted for denoting the call, and a second instrument of like character, but having contactpoints of its brake-wheel producing distinguishably-diilerent signals for the message and geared with a variably-setting motor to produce one or more signals at a setting, both of said instruments being in electrical connection with a register or hell or other receiv ing-instrumcnt in the station, substantially as described.

2. A system of electrical communication comprising the combination of an electrical. call or notifying instrument having the contact-points of its brake wheel specifically adapted for denoting the call, a second instrument of like character, but having eontact-points of its brake-wheel producingdistinguishably dififerent signals for the message and geared withavariably-setting motor to produce one or more signals at a setting, and a third instrument of like character, but having a brake-wl1eel for con'imunieating signals or characters which are distinguishable from those of both the first and second instruments, all of said instruments being in electrical connection with a register or hell in the station, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EBEN'EZER l3. SIIAFER.

'fitnesscs:

W. J. MORGAN, W'. l). EARLL. 

